Controlled flow distribution nozzle



Allg- 25, 1964 F. REITERER 3,145,427

coNIRoLLED mow DISTRIBUTION NOZZLE Filed July 17, 1961 2 SheebS-Sheec l III AIR SPEED LOCATION ALONG NOZZLE OPENING INVENTOR. FERDINAND REITERER BY www@ Zbl his ATTORNEYS Aug. 25, 1964 F. REITERER 3,145,427

CONTROLLED FLOW DISTRIBUTION NOZZLE Filed July l?, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FERDINAND REITERER his ATTORNEYS United States Patent() 3,145,427 CNTRIJLED FLW DSTPJBU'HN NOZZLE Ferdinand Reiterer, Rueil-Malmaison, France, as-

signor, by direct and mesne assignments,to Whitin Machine Werks, Whitinsville, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed .luiv i7, 196i, Ser. No. 124,547 Claims priority, application France .iuiy 3i), 196i) 14- Claiins. (Cl. 19--1t6) This invention relates to iiuid nozzles and, more particularly, to a new and improved fluid nozzle having an elongated outlet opening arranged to provide controlled flow distribution at the outlet opening.

In a fluid outlet nozzle having an outlet opening of elongated shape which is connected to a fluid delivery duct not having the same shape and size as the nozzle opening,

the rate or" flow of fluid through the opening is appreciably greater at the portion of the opening corresponding to the axis of the delivery duct than it is at the ends of the elongated opening. In certain instances it is necessary to provide uniform tlow distribution throughout an elongated outlet opening, or even greater ilow rates at the end of the outlet opening than at the center of the opening, but because of space limitations it is impossible to provide a delivery duct of the necessary size and shape to accomplish the desired distribution.

For example, in fiber processing machinery, internal air pressure may be used to assist in removing a lap of fibrous material from a perforated drum and, to accomplish this, a delivery duct extends into the drum along its axis and a nozzle connected to this duct directs air outwardly through the periphery of the drum, the nozzle enclosing a selected drum segment which extends the entire length of the drum. With a conventional blowing nozzle used for this purpose the flow rate at the central portion of the outlet opening is substantially greater than-at the ends of the drum, and this can result in a non-uniform product.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved uid nozzle having an elongated outlet opening which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of presently known nozzles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvednozzie which is adjustable to regulate the fluid ow distribution at the outlet opening.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved internal air delivery nozzle for a perforated drum of a ber processing machine.

These and other objects of the invention areL accomplished providing a curved perforated partition Within a nozzle cavity the curvature being in the direction of the desired llow distribution control. Preferably the partition is made of flexible material so that the curvature may beV adjusted and the nozzle includes means for adjusting the curvature thereof so that variation of the distribution of ilow through the nozzle opening can be accomplished. When used in a nozzle having an elongated opening, the partition is curved in the direction of elongation of the nozzle opening. In addition, to control the direction of liuid flow, the nozzle also includes a fixed flow-rectifying grid in honeycomb form which may be curved in the direction of the partition curvature. If the curvature of the perforated partition is adjustable, this grid may have a curvature approximately the same as the maximum curvature of the partition. n

As used herein, the Word honeycomb designates a member which is relatively thick, as compared with a screen, for example, andhas a plurality of holes of any 4desired shape passing through it, each of which is approximately parallel to the adjacent holes so as to direct liuid in the direction parallel to the holes and restrict motion of the fluid in other directions. The honyecomb mem- 3,145,42?. Patented Aug. 25, 1964 ICC ber may be curved rather than dat and in this case, of course, each hole does not extend exactly parallel to the adjacent holes but is directed at a slight angle to them.

VA fluid nozzle having an elongated opening according to the invention may also include a second honeycomb grid mounted at the nozzle opening which is straightin the direction of nozzle elongation, along with a second perforated plate mounted adjacent to the second grid and just inside the nozzle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the perforated partitions have a total perforation area about equal to about one-half the total area of the partition whereas the honeycomb grids have an open area equal to about three-quarters of the total grid area.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a view in longitudinal section illustrating a typical elongated nozzle having an adjustable partition arranged according to the invention;

FiG. 2 is a graphical representation of the air speed at various locations in the nozzle opening for different settings of the adjustable partition;

FG. 3`is an enlarged fragmentary lview in section showing an arrangement for adjusting the curvature of the nozzle partition;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. 3, further illustrating the adjusting arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a view in longitudinal section of a typical component of a liber processing machine having an elongated nozzle arranged according tothe invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the component shown in-FIG. 5, taken on the line 6 6 thereof and looking in "the direction of the arrows.

In the representative embodiment of the invention shown inFIG. 1 a fluid delivery nozzle l is shown which comprises two relatively short end Walls la and lb and two relatively long side Walls 1c 'and ld (the wall 1d not being visible in FIG. l because of the sectional illustration). These walls form an'elongated nozzle cavity having an elongated outlet opening le and an intake opening 1f which communicates with a iiuid supply duct 2. Normally, in an elongated nozzle of this type, the fluid iiow fromV the nozzle opening is concentrated primarily within a relatively small portion of the opening, the supply duct Vbeing substantially smaller than the elongated dimension ofthe opening.

In accordance with the present invention, however, a

vpartition 3 perforated with holes 4 and curved'in the ldirection of elongation of the nozzle is mounted within the nozzle. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. l this partition, which extends through suitable slits in the end walls 1a and 1b is made flexible so that it can be bent to any desired curvature between a maximum, represented by the dashed line A in'FIG. 2, to a minimum, represented by the dot-dash line C in FIG. 2, the partition being illustrated in solid lines at an intermediate curvature B. By varying the curvature of the partition in this manner the low distribution at the outlet opening 1e can be changed to suit the purpose of the nozzle. It will be understood that, if desired, the partition 3 may be made with a lixed curvature to provide a particular llow kdistribution when no adjustment is required. In practice, best results have been obtained utilizing a exible partition 3wherein the total area of the perforations is approximately equal to half the total area ofthe partition, thereby providing an appreciable fluid pressure diterential across the partition.

Mounted in a fixed position immediately above the 'position of maximum curvature A of the partition jis a honeycomb Vgrid 5 having a curvature approximately the same as the maximum curvature.` A in the `direction of elongation vof the nozzle. As previously mentioned, this grid comprises a relatively thick member having a plurality of nearly parallel openings extending through it to direct duid in the direction of the openings and restrict flow of fluid in a transverse direction. Also, the total area of the openings in the grid 5 is relatively large, i.e., at least three-quarters of the total grid area, so that the grid provides relatively little resistance to fluid flow.

Another honeycomb grid 7 is mounted at the opening 1e to direct outgoing fluid perpendicularly to this opening and a second perforated partitiont is mounted adjacent to the grid 7 and just inside the opening. Both the members 6 and 7 are straight in the direction of nozzle elongation but, if desired, they may be slightly curved in the direction across the opening to conform to the curved interior surface of a drum, for example. The grid 7 may have the same ratio of open area to total area as the curved grid 5 while the partition 6 may have a ratio similar to that specified above with respect to the flexible partition 3.

In order to adjust the curvature of the partition 3 an adjusting device having sprocket teeth 11 is provided outside the end wall 1a of the nozzle, corresponding sprocket holes 9 being cut into the partition 3. The other end of the partition is aiiixed to the end Wall 1b but, if desired, an adjusting device similar to the device 10 may also be mounted at that end of the nozzle. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the curvature adjusting device comprises a roller 10 having two sets of sprocket teeth 11 aihxed to an axle 12 which is supported on the nozzle by a bracket. In order to maintain the internal fluid pressure in the nozzle, a seal 8 of rubber or the like is mounted at the slot in the wall 1a through which the partition 3 passes. A square block 14 (FIG. 4) attached to the axle 12 is engaged by a pivoted latch 13 to hold the partition in a selected position, a transverse hole being provided in the block to permit rotation thereof by a rod (not shown).

In operation, the roller 10 is rotated to move the end of the partition 3 until the desired curvature is obtained, after which the latch 13 is pivoted down against the side of the block 14. Air or other fluid directed through the duct 2 under pressure passes through the holes 4 in the perforated partition and the volume of fluid entering each portion of the nozzle cavity depends on the number of partition holes adjacent to that portion. Thereafter, the iluid iiow is directed uniformly toward all areas of the outlet opening 1a by the honeycomb grid 5 and the partition 6 and the grid '7 direct the fluid from the nozzle in a direction perpendicular to the extent of the nozzle opening.

It will be noted that, if the partition 3 has the curvature indicated at B in FIG. 1, there are a larger number of holes 4 adjacent to the end portions of the nozzle than is the case if the partition has the curvature indicated at C in FIG. 1. Consequently, a greater proportion of iluid will flow through the partition into the end portions in this case than with the reduced curvature C. This is indicated by the graphical illustration of FIG. 2 wherein the solid line B shows a greater air speed at the ends of the nozzle than at the center, whereas the dash-dot line C, corresponding to the C configuration of FIG. l, shows a greater air speed in the center than at the ends. Similarly the dotted line A, representing the effect produced by the curvature A of FIG. 1, shows an even greater increase in air speed at the ends of the nozzle as compared with the central area. Accordingly, accurate control of the flow distribution of the air is effectively accomplished with this nozzle structure.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 the invention is illustrated as applied to a typical component of a fiber processing machine, such as a doffer cylinder, suction being applied internally to one portion of the doffer and pressure to another portion. In this example, the doifer comprises two end flanges 15 and 15 which are rotatably supported on a hollow axle structure forming an air inlet ductl and a suction duct 16 entering the doffer from opposite ends. The two end anges support a perforated wall 17 which is covered by an external toothed clothing 18 of the type having air passages through it.

Within the cylinder a slanting Wall 19 divides the axle structure into two compartments, a suction compartment 20 and a pressure compartment 21, a nozzle 1 of the type shown in FIG. 1 being mounted over the outlet from the pressure duct. In this case the nozzle partition 3 is shown as being of fixed curvature to provide a selected iiow distribution rather than being adjustable as in FIG. 1, but it will be understood that an adjustable partition could be substituted therefor. Otherwise, the components of the nozzle 1 are identical with those of FIG. 1. Delivery rollers 22 and 22' of the conventional type are mounted adjacent to the doffer to assist in removing the fibrous material from its surface and, as indicated in FIG. 6, the angular position of the suction and pressure compartments within the cylinder may be adjustable.

In operation, the dotler rotates adjacent to another cylinder (not shown) and suction produced in the compartment 20 draws fibrous material from the other cylinder to the clothing 13. When the material has been carried around to the position of the delivery rollers 22 and 22. the stream of air from the nozzle 1 blows the material away from the clothing 18 toward the rollers and, by reason of the unique nozzle structure, the removal of the fibrous material is uniform over the entire length of the dotfer.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a highly effective nozzle for effecting controlled duid flow distribution over an elongated outlet area and also provides means for adjusting the iiow distribution at the nozzle opening.

Although the invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments many modifications and variations therein will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, it will be apparent that the principle of controlling fluid flow distribution according to the present invention is not restricted to nozzles having an elongated outlet opening, but can be applied as Well to nozzles having a square or circular outlet opening from which particular ow distribution patterns are required. Accordingly, all such variations and modifications are included within the intended scope cf the invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A fluid nozzle providing controlled iiuid flow distribution at an outlet opening comprising a nozzle housing having an internal cavity forming a passageway for fluid wtih an outlet opening at one end and an intake opening at the other end, a perforated partition mounted transversely across the nozzle cavity to control the distribution of fluid ilow in the nozzle cavity, and a memher formed with a plurality of openings having side surfaces extending parallel to the desired direction of flow through the openings mounted transversely across the nozzle located farther from the intake opening than the perforated partition to control the direction of fluid flow, wherein the perforated partition is made of flexible material and including means for imparting a curvature to the partition in at least one transverse direction with respect to the nozzle axis.

2. A iluid nozzle providing controlled duid flow distribution at an elongated outlet opening comprising a nozzle housing having two relatively short side walls and two relatively long sidewalls forming a laterally elongated cavity with an elongated outlet opening at one end and an intake opening at the other end providing a passageway for duid, a perforated partition mounted transversely across the nozzle cavity having a curvature extending in the elongated direction of thev cavity to control the distribution of uid iiow in the elongated direction, and a honeycomb member mounted transversely across the nozzle cavity and located farther from the intake opening than the perforated partition to control the direction of uid iiow.

3. A iluid nozzle according to claim 2 wherein the honeycomb member is curved in the same direction as the perforated partition and is mounted adjacent to the partition.

4. A fluid nozzle according to claim 3 including a honeycomb grid mounted across the nozzle outlet opening which is straight in the direction of curvature of the honeycomb member.

5. A uid nozzle according to claim 4 including a perforated plate mounted across the nozzle opening inside the honeycomb grid, which is straight in the direction of curvature of the honeycomb member.

6. A liuid nozzle according to claim 2 wherein the perforated partition has a total perforation area equal to about one half the total partition area.

7. A fluid nozzle according to claim 2 wherein the honeycomb member has a total open area of about threequarters the total area of the member.

8. A uid nozzle according to claim 2 wherein the perforated partition is flexible and including means for adjusting the curvature of the partition to vary the iluid flow distribution.

9. A iiuid nozzle according to claim 8 wherein the perforated partition is fixed to one of the short side walls of the nozzle housing and extends through the other short side wall and includes sprocket perforations and the means for adjusting the curvature of the partition includes a sprocket roller mounted outside the nozzle housing.

10. A fiber processing machine component comprising a hollow rotatable cylinder having a perforated outer shell, a hollow axle structure upon which 'the cylinder is supported for rotation providing an air inlet duct to the interior of the cylinder, and a nozzle mounted within the cylinder including a pair of parallel side walls eX- tending longitudinally in the cylinder and a pair of end walls forming an elongated passageway leading from the air inlet duct to an elongated outlet opening adjacent to the inside surface of the perforated shell, a perforated partition mounted in the passageway having a curvature in the direction of elongation thereof to control the distribution of air therealong, and a honeycomb grid mounted across the outlet opening which is straight in the direction of elongation of the outlet opening.

1l. A fiber processing machine component according to claim l0 including a honeycomb member mounted within the passageway adjacent to the perforated partition having a curvature in the direction of elongation of the passageway which is substantially the same as that of the partition. p

12. A ber processing machine component according to claim 11 including a perforated plate mounted adjacent to the honeycomb grid and inside the passageway, which is straight in the direction of elongation of the passageway.

13. A fiber processing machine component according to claim 12 wherein the perforated plate and the perforated partition each have a perforation area approximately equal to half the total area.

14. A ber processing machine component according to claim 13 wherein the honeycomb member and the honeycomb grid each have an open area equal to about three-quarters of the total area.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,891,720 McCurdy et al. Dec. 20, 1932 2,605,143 Bishop July 29, 1952 2,633,343 Aghnides Mar. 3l, 1953 2,874,001 Webb Feb. 17, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,069,365 France July 7, 1954 21,197 Great Britain of 1909 13,724 Great Britain of 1914 197,233 Switzerland July 16, 1938 

1. A FLUID NOZZLE PROVIDING CONTROLLED FLUID FLOW DISTRIBUTION AT AN OUTLET OPENING COMPRISING A NOZZLE HOUSING HAVING AN INTERNAL CAVITY FORMING A PASSAGEWAY FOR FLUID WITH AN OUTLET OPENING AT ONE END AND AN INTAKE OPENING AT THE OTHER END, A PERFORATED PARTITION MOUNTED TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE NOZZLE CAVITY TO CONTROL THE DISTRIBUTION OF FLUID FLOW IN THE NOZZLE CAVITY, AND A MEMBER FORMED WITH A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS HAVING SIDE SURFACES EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE DESIRED DIRECTION OF FLOW THROUGH THE OPENINGS MOUNTED TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE NOZZLE LOCATED FARTHER FROM THE INTAKE OPENING THAN THE PERFORATED PARTITION TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF FLUID FLOW, WHEREIN THE PERFORATED PARTITION IS MADE OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL AND INCLUDING MEANS FOR IMPARTING A CURVATURE TO THE PARTITION IN AT LEAST ONE TRANSVERSE DIRECTION WITH RESPECT TO THE NOZZLE AXIS. 